We depend on and use our teeth daily, but taking them for granted becomes easy until issues arise. Over time, our teeth become weaker and more susceptible to decay, cracks, discoloration, and damage. When one of these problems cannot be corrected with a filling or bonding, a crown might be the best choice.
What Are Dental Crowns?
Dental crowns may be composed of porcelain, gold, or porcelain fused to metal. Crowns can help repair broken or fractured teeth and prevent further tooth damage. At Gentle Care Dentistry, we can also use CEREC, a state-of-the-art machine, to build custom dental restorations from a three-dimensional digital image of the targeted tooth. Your dentist will evaluate the condition of your teeth and determine the ideal approach to give you excellent dental health and a stunning smile.
Start protecting your teeth now by calling our office at 575-524-3722 to schedule your consultation today!
Why Choose Gentle Care Dentistry for Dental Crowns?
When it comes to dental crowns, you want to be treated by dentists who are highly trained and up to date on the latest dental technology. Our highly skilled dentists offer patient-focused care combined with innovative solutions to help ensure optimal results.
Gentle Care Dentistry offers same-day dental crowns to eligible patients and other custom dental restorations to ensure you have the brightest, healthiest smile.
To learn more about how Gentle Care Dentistry can create your custom dental crowns, call (575) 222-7624 today!
Am I A Candidate for Dental Crowns in Las Cruces?
Good candidates for dental crowns should have healthy gums and dental issues that are not solvable with less invasive treatments. Ideal candidates for dental crowns include patients who:
- Have tooth decay beyond what can be adequately repaired with a filling
- Have cracked, chipped, or broken teeth
- Need additional support in a tooth after a root canal
- Are receiving dental implants or dental bridges to restore the appearance and function of their mouth
To discover if you are a good candidate for dental crowns, come in for a consultation with one of our expert dental providers.
What Are the Benefits of Dental Crowns?
Dental Crown Options in Las Cruces, NM
CEREC Technology
At Gentle Care Dentistry, your dentist can use CEREC 3D technology to create your full crowns, partial crowns (onlays/inlays), and veneers during one appointment. First, all areas of decay are removed from the tooth, and it is carefully reshaped. A three-dimensional digital photograph is taken, and the crown is milled. After the restoration is crafted, it is placed during the same appointment. For patients needing a partial crown, CEREC/CAD-CAM technology and modern crown materials allow us to prepare teeth more conservatively and place a restoration that will yield the same long-lasting results as a full crown without as much drilling or tooth reduction.
Full Dental Crown
The process of installing a crown takes a couple of visits to your dentist. During your first visit, your dentist will administer a local anesthetic to ensure patient comfort. Next, your dentist will file and reshape the affected tooth to accommodate the restoration and take a mold of the area. The impression will be taken to a dental laboratory to create a new, customized crown. Before you leave the office, your dentist will attach a temporary cap to your tooth, which will last until the permanent crown is ready. Two to three weeks later, your dentist will place the permanent crown.
Partial Dental Crown
Depending on the extent of corrosion or damage, your dentist may recommend a partial crown, also known as an onlay or inlay, to strengthen and restore your tooth. After removing the area of decay, our dentists use our state-of-the-art CEREC/CAD-CAM technology to create and place a long-lasting restoration during your same-day appointment.
How Is a Dental Crown Placed?
Once your permanent dental crown is created, it’s time to place it over your tooth. If you receive same-day dental crowns, your dentist will take images of your tooth for the CEREC crown and trim down your tooth to accommodate the crown. If you are receiving a traditional crown, your tooth will already have been trimmed and a temporary crown placed.
Once your crown is ready, it is placed on your tooth and secured with a strong dental adhesive or cement. Your dentist will check your bite to ensure the new crown is fitted correctly, and then complete the process with a final polish of your new crown.
What Is Recovery Like After Getting a Dental Crown?
Once your permanent crown is placed, there are a few precautions to take as your mouth recovers. First, as with any dental procedure where numbing is involved, you should be careful when eating or drinking so as not to burn your mouth or bite down on your cheek or tongue.
Avoid hard, chewy, or sticky foods for at least 24 hours after your crown is placed to prevent damaging, loosening, or dislodging it. You can return to your normal dental hygiene routine as your dentist recommends; just be careful when cleaning around the new crown.
After your crown placement, you may also experience swelling, redness, or inflammation around the affected tooth. This is normal and will subside after a few days, so just be extra gentle as you brush and floss so as not to further irritate the area. Any discomfort you experience can be alleviated with over-the-counter pain relievers.
If you experience unusual pain or swelling after your dental crown is placed, or the crown feels loose or falls off, contact us immediately.
What Results Can I Expect From Dental Crowns?
Porcelain crowns are color-matched to blend in with your natural teeth and produce a visually pleasing improvement. You can eat normally after a permanent restoration is attached to your tooth, but you must be careful not to eat hard foods with a temporary crown. Crowns are durable and can usually last many years. Gentle Care Dentistry offers a 5-year, no-questions-asked guarantee on all crowns we place as long as the patient comes in for routine checkups.
How Do I Maintain My Dental Crown?
You should brush and floss them the same way you care for your natural teeth to prevent any complications. Visiting your dentist twice a year can also help to ensure that you maintain optimal oral health for years to come. As long as you keep up with routine checkups and fluoride treatments, Gentle Care Dentistry will correct any problems with your crown for up to five years following the initial procedure.
Dental Crown FAQ
How much do dental crowns cost in Las Cruces, NM?
The cost of a dental crown in Las Cruces, NM, can range from $500 to $2,500, depending on several factors, including the material used, whether additional procedures are necessary, and the dentist’s experience. At Gentle Care Dentistry, we accept several forms of payment, including cash, credit, and checks. Qualifying patients may also set up a flexible payment plan. You can discover your financing options by discussing your needs with our experienced financial coordinator.
Are dental crowns painful?
Because the treatment area is prepared with local anesthesia, the crown process should be painless. However, following the procedure, some patients experience mild discomfort that can be managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
What material is used in CEREC crowns?
CEREC creates crowns composed of compressed porcelain, zirconium, or e.max® (lithium disilicate). For a custom fit and natural improvement, your dentist will finish, polish, stain, and glaze the restoration so that it mimics the appearance of your natural teeth.
Can my child get a porcelain crown at Gentle Care Dentistry?
We give children stainless steel crowns because the baby teeth will eventually fall out and be replaced with a new, permanent tooth. However, if the tooth that requires a crown is permanent, your child may qualify for a porcelain crown.
What can I expect during my first visit to Gentle Care Dentistry?
At Gentle Care Dentistry, we will discuss your medical history as well as any concerns you have about your oral health. You may print and complete the necessary new patient forms ahead of time and bring them to your appointment. We also offer online scheduling so you can set your dental visits from the comfort of your home.